As published in the February 1, 2017 Toledo Business Journal
Rafael Verde
Hollywood Casino
Hollywood Casino a visitor attraction
In mid-January, the Toledo Business Journal spoke with Hollywood Casino general manager Rafael Verde about the role Hollywood Casino can play to assist in attracting meetings and conventions to the area and its role in being able to host business meetings and functions.
Toledo Business Journal: What role does Hollywood Casino play as it relates to conventions and large meetings selecting the Toledo area?
Rafael Verde: I think our role has been a little bit limited, and it’s been because, quite frankly, our focus has been on our main business, which is the casino business. We want to have a bigger role. Having our location that close to downtown, I think it can position us to have a better presence. Even if we don’t hold the convention here, maybe there is a stop for those conventioneers to actually do things at the casino when they’re looking for things to do around Toledo. We do have live entertainment Friday and Saturday, but if we have a large group in town, we can set up entertainment for another day or two.
If we’re given enough notice, we can even set up blackjack lessons. That’s another unique thing that we could offer for people to have fun. We have a new sales individual, Erica Demey, who started working with us in the last six months, and she’s doing a great job to get the word out. It’s just a matter of getting out in the community to sell these outlets. Doing that is on our radar for 2017.
TBJ: Can you discuss opportunities for businesses and organizations to conduct meetings and special events at Hollywood Casino?
RV: We have a unique opportunity to host different types of groups, because we’re open 24 hours, so you’re not going to be kicked out of meetings and try to rush to finish. You can actually hold your meetings a little bit longer if you need to, and perhaps there is a social part after the meeting that is convenient to have here.
We do have three major rooms in here, one that seats about 35 people inside Final Cut Steak & Seafood, our Forbes 4-Star rated restaurant, and is more intimate and private. Also, the buffet has a dining room in the back that seats about 80 people. There is also a private room where we can set up large tables to hold conferences. In the middle of the casino there is an area called “Scene,” where we can hold up to 400 people. We can accommodate a small gathering of 35 all the way to a large gathering of 400. We’re very diverse in that sense, and we think that positions us very well – along with our 24-hour operation.
TBJ: Can you discuss hotel and limousine partners and any special rates that have been put in place?
RV: We do have many partnerships in this area. Our preferred hotel partnerships are listed on our website. They include – among others – the Hampton Inn, the Courtyard by Marriott, and Country Inn & Suites, all right here in Rossford. If there is a large group coming in, we will work with these partners to make sure they’re taken care of.
The limo service we work with is Childers Limousine.
TBJ: Can you discuss the level and trend of visitors from outside the Toledo area who travel to Hollywood Casino?
RV: A good percentage of our business comes from Michigan and Ohio, outside of the Toledo area. It does fluctuate year over year, but a lot has to do with construction, and with what’s going on in Detroit. As you can imagine, Detroit is a feeder market for us. It’s interesting, because of the three casinos they pass along the way, they choose to come here. We think a big draw for us is that we are non-smoking and a short drive for people in southern Michigan.
Hollywood Casino
TBJ: Can you describe the dining alternatives offered to guests of Hollywood Casino?
RV: We are very proud of our restaurant offerings. Final Cut is a 4-star Forbes rated steakhouse, and is a winner of the 2016 Wine Spectator Award. You can really expect a high-end dining experience in Final Cut like no other in Toledo. Our level of service is one of the top I’ve ever managed or been associated with.
Our Scene restaurant is a high-end sports bar, with a huge variety of items ranging from giant onion rings to flatbread pizza to meatloaf. On the weekend, it changes to more of a lounge-type atmosphere.
We also have the all-you-can-eat Epic Buffet, which is essential to any casino-goer. In terms of buffet, this is top notch. We also offer quick and easy grab-and-go options from our Take 2 Grill.
TBJ: What is the parking situation at the facility?
RV: We have a very big area for parking, with almost all of our 3,300 parking spaces under cover. We also offer valet and special parking for VIP players. It is very rare that we would ever reach max capacity.
TBJ: Who are some of the celebrities who have visited Hollywood Casino during the past couple years?
RV: We have a wide range of celebrities who have visited the property; including country stars Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and Trace Adkins, as well as a meet and greet with soap opera stars from The Young and the Restless. We have also had comedians and rock stars including D.L. Hughley, Kym Whitley, Mike Epps, Blondie, Melissa Etheridge, Heart, Pat Benatar, and Ohio native Gary Owen. Jamie Farr, a hometown favorite, also has visited the casino.
TBJ: Please explain the Community Giving program that your organization has set up.
RV: First of all, let me tell you that we do believe in giving back to the community and investing where we live and work. That’s our corporate motto, and they hold us accountable to it. We do have a committee who receives all of the letters asking for contributions. We make sure that, number one, the organization is a 501(c), but second of all, that it can stay within our values of what we believe in.
However, the biggest partner in the community is ProMedica. We help them with major food reclamation for the Hunger Program by donating thousands of pounds of food. ProMedica has two employees here on a weekly basis packing what we don’t use for donation. Charities we partner with in Toledo include Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club, the American Cancer Society, the Rotary Club of Toledo, the United Way, and Hannah’s Socks, just to name a few.
TBJ: Can you discuss the revenue results and trends during the past couple of years?
RV: Our revenues are public and can be reviewed on the OCCC. Overall, 2015 was a great year. The beginning of 2016 was great as well; however, construction slowed us down a bit this summer. Because 2015 was such a great year, 2016 netted out maybe 1% below. We are very happy with the results thus far and looking forward to staying here in the years to come.
TBJ: Are there any other issues that you would like to discuss?
RV: What we’re really looking forward to in 2017 is building the convention base as well as getting our customers excited about our sister property, Tropicana, in Las Vegas. We want our guests to understand that if you play here, you have an opportunity to win trips to Las Vegas based on amount of play or promotional offerings. For example, right now, we have a hot seat promotion that gives you a chance to win a trip to Vegas, including hotel and airfare. We are very excited to see what 2017 brings.